Severus Snape (prince_snape) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-07-01 08:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, james moriarty, severus snape |
Who: Moriarty and Snape
When: The week of 6/26
Where: On Campus, UCSD
What: Random Encounter
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete!
Every time he was back on campus, it didn’t matter which university, Severus felt like he was back in school again. There was something a little exciting about it. Something that made his nerves pick up. Perhaps he really was meant to teach, like he was doing in his Dreams. Or perhaps there was something inherent about college campuses that made people’s brains pick up.
Whatever the case, he was in a random hallway, looking slightly disinterested, waiting for his colleague to come and meet with him--they were supposed to be meeting here, he thought. Perhaps the man he was to be meeting was running late?
Jim couldn’t wait to move to UCLA come September. He felt he was long overdue for a change. Routine could get so dull. But for now, there were spring and summer semesters to get through. Those were, by far, the most tedious. They were full of students cramming to get last minute credits - such a nightmare.
On his way to his office, Jim noticed a man who clearly did not belong there. He glanced around, then raised an eyebrow.
“Do you need a hand?”
“Waiting for Professor Watkins.” Severus responded, turning to look at the other man. He knew right off the bat that the other man was a professor, and not simply a helpful student. “One of your colleagues?”
“Unfortunately,” Jim replied, as if it was a simple face of the world. “I feel almost sorry for you, the man’s a complete bore.”
“Is he?” Severus asked, eyebrow raising. “Oh, well that’s unpleasant news.” He’d been looking forward to this collaboration. It got him out of the office, got him away from his own lab and into another at least temporarily.
“Truly. Even in his lectures, he barely strings together a group of sentence. Brilliant, but not interesting in the slightest. To what do you owe this displeasure?”
“We’re supposed to be working on a project together,” Severus mentioned, though he was frowning now. Unless the man was simply gossiping--though he definitely didn’t seem the type--this was probably going to be a fairly difficult meeting. Oh, well, at least he’d gotten out of the lab for the day, even if the meeting would be a bust. “Set up by another colleague.”
“This third party must be out to get you.” Jim frowned, too, looking entirely sympathetic. “You have my complete condolences.”
“I suppose so.” Severus said. “Thank you. Mister...?” He asked, holding out a hand for the man to shake.
“Moriarty.” Jim put on a more or less pleasant smile and shook the man’s hand. “James Moriarty. I’m a maths professor.”
“Ah. I’m here to meet a Chemist.” Severus said, shaking Moriarty’s hand firmly. “As I’m sure you know if you know Watkins.” He added quickly. “I work in pharmaceuticals, and apparently there’s something that this man was supposed to be able to help with on a project my colleague has me working on.”
“Like I said, he is brilliant. I suspect he’ll help you a great deal. Just don’t expect to have a good time of it.” Jim shrugged. “I don’t believe I caught your name?”
“Oh, sorry. Severus Snape.” Snape said, giving the other man his name. He pulled out one of his business cards and held it out to the other. Not sure if the other man would ever need it, but.
Jim liked to be in the loop. He liked knowing people, and knowing of people, and he felt that maybe somewhere down the road Severus Snape might be such a person. He took the business card gladly and slipped it away.
“A pleasure to meet you, of course.”
“And you, Professor.” Severus said with a slight tip of his head. “I’ll have to keep you in mind should I have any math questions.” He was kidding. Mostly.
“Oh, I’m sure.” Jim wasn’t quite sure he believed such a sentiment, but he let it slide with a bit of a laugh anyway.
Awkward Severus was awkward. He nodded, smirking a little, and was trying to come up with something else interesting to say when his colleague, Professor Watkins, came down the hallway. Unfortunately, the professor’s bag split open, and Severus had to move quickly to help the man collect up all of his papers and books once they spilled onto the floor in the hall.
On the his own part, Jim didn’t try to help. He watched the two scramble to get the papers, and checked his watch. “Well, Mr. Snape, it was a pleasure. Enjoy your collaboration.” He gave Watkins a polite nod and carried on his way.
Snape stood upright again and gave a gentle, “you, too,” though Moriarty was already on his way. That had been rather interesting.